Display device.



No. 841,535. PATENTED JAN. 15, 1907.

J. M. KELLEY. DISPLAY DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN.25,1906

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

{'1 li MW 20 k U"LWWJQWUMZ No. 841,535. PATENTED JAN. 15, 1907. J. M. KELLEY. DISPLAY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.25, 1906.

2 SHBETS-SHEET 2.

memo I I I JOHN M. KELLEY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

DISPLAY DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 15, 1907.

Application filed January 25,1906. Serial Nor 297,862.

of the invention, such as will enable others 1 skilled in the art to which it appertams to make and use the same.

This lnvention relates to display devices, and has for an ob ect to provide means for storing and exhibiting small articles of asj sorted varieties, as packages of flower-seed and the like, and embodying new and improved features of convenience, sightliness, economy, and utility.

A further object of the invention isto provide a boX or case with a plurality of trays proportioned to be therein contained and to fit within and fill the entire area of the case and with stepped supports of improved construction foldable within the case and beneath the trays and to be lifted to vertical positions and provided with means for engaging the ends of and to support the several trays in stepped relation.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for securing and hinging the said stepped supports within the case to facilitate the folding and unfolding and to assist in rendering the said supports rigid when in an unfolded position for the support of the several trays.

lVith these and other objects in view the invention comprises certain novel construc tions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the improved display device. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the form shown in Fig. 1 with the support raised. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3 with the supports folded into the bottom of the case and the trays disposed therein upon the supports. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the end of one of the trays. Fig. 5 is a slightly-modified form wherein the supports are composed of wire. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the form shown at Fig. 5 with the supports folded into the bottom of the case.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The display device forming the subjectmatter of this application comprises a case 10 of any approved size and shape and preferably provided with a cover or closure part 11 hinged thereto, as by the hinges 12. Within the case 10 are disposed a plurality of trays 13, which may be of any approved number and divided, if desired, eachinto a plurality of compartments, as by the division-boards 14, and of such size and conformation as to fit within and substantially till the area of the case 10 and permit the closing of the cover member 11 in the usual manner.

IVithin the case 10 are secured the supports 15, which maybe composed of a sheet of semiflexible material and secured in the bottom of the case by any approved means, as the screws 16, along one edge, as 17 ,which is disposed normally in contact and parallel with the bottom of the case and at right angles to the general plane of the support 15, and the said support may be folded into and upon the bottom of the said case 10, as along the line 18 adjacent to the transverse edge of the said case. The supports 15 are provided with an inclined upper edge and with vertically-disposed slots '19, transecting the said inclined edge and projected downwardly a predetermined distance toward the bottom of the case, each of said slots being lower than the slot neXt above. At their upper extremities the slots 19 are made wider to form the shoulders 20, the said slots and shoulders defining ears 21, proportioned for insertion withinthe slots 22, formed transversely within the bottom of each end of each tray and with the longitudinal sides of the said tray disposed and supported upon the shoulder 20, so that each tray is disposed above the tray neXt below and the several trays in stepped relation. Instead of forming the support of sheet material it may be produced of wire, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, with the main or body portions represented upon triangles 23, which are hinged upon the bottom of and within the case 10 by means of independent hinges 24, secured upon the bottom of the said case and pivotally engaging the lower or base wire of the triangle. Along the inclined wire of the triangle a wire 25 is secured and crimped to produce slots 26, defining ears 27, similar to cars 21, and similarly engaging within the slots 22 of the trays.

In each of the forms shown the said supports are hinged adjacent to the transverse end pieces of the case and in such position that when the said supports are raised they will engage and bear against the inner surface of and be supported in vertical position by the said end pieces, so that with the trays disposed thereupon the said supports hold the trays rigidly from longitudinal displacement. So supported and proportioned the supports. will fold within and upon the bottom of the case and the several trays, with their assorted contents, disposed within the said case upon the support and the cover member 11 closed and secured in closed position in the usual or any approved manner.

When the goods contained in the trays are to be exhibited, the several trays are lifted from out the case and the supports raised to occupy vertical positions, and the trays disposed and secured thereon by inserting the ears 21 or 27 and within the slots 22 with the side Walls within the slots 19 or 26, whereupon the trays assume the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the goods of each tray being thereby clearly and easily visible.

What I claim is- 1. In a display apparatus, a case, a plurality of elongated trays proportioned for disposition within and to fill the area of the case and provided each with an opening at each end, a stepped support, hinges secured in the bottom of the case and to which the supports are hinged, and means carried by the support to engage within the openings in the ends of the trays.

:2. In a display apparatus, a case, a plurality of elongated containing-trays propor tioned for disposition within and to fill the area of the case and provided each with an opening at each end, a stepped support, hinges secured in the bottom of the case and to which the supports are hinged, and ears carried by the support for insertion within the openings of and to support the said trays.

3. In a display apparatus, a covered case, a plurality of elongated cont aining-trays proportioned for disposition within and to fill the area of the case and provided each with an opening at each end, an inclined support of sheet material provided with a plurality of vertically-disposed slots transecting the inclined edge and defining-ears proportioned to engage the openings in the case of the said trays.

4. In a display apparatus, a case, a plurality of elongated containing-trays proportioned for disposition within and to fill the area of the case and provided each with an opening at each end, a support formed of sheet material and provided with an inc-lined upper edge and with vertically disposed slots transecting the inclined edge, and with shoulders formed within the slots and defin ing-ears proportioned to engage within the openings of the trays, and the shoulders to engage and support the side walls of the. said trays.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN M. KELLEY.

Witnesses:

EMIL LUDEKENs, EMMA M. KELLEY. 

